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Reviews > Cook and Food Storage Gear > Cook Sets > MSR Titan Kettle > Owner Review by Alexander Chard
MSR TITAN KETTLE
TESTER INFORMATION
I have been backpacking since the mid 90's with trips generally 2-10 days. I have backpacked in all seasons and conditions. I generally pack for comfort, and my shelters are usually tarp or bivy sack. Spring to fall pack weight is about 16 lbs/7 kg, and about 2 lbs/1 kg food per day. Excursions include trips in the Smokey's, White Mountains, Grand Canyon, Southern Canada and Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I consider difficult terrain and adverse conditions the ingredients for interesting and memorable excursions. PRODUCT INFORMATION
Mountain Safety Research, Inc. (MSR) PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
The Titan Kettle was designed for the fast and light backpacker, when weight and adaptability are desired. Although I'm not a member of the ultra-light adventure race crowd, simplicity and flexibility are always appreciated. MSR on their web site states, "Versatile enough to be a pot, mug or bowl, this lightweight and strong titanium kettle complements the Titan Cook set perfectly." FIELD CONDITIONS:
Although I own another titanium pot this kettle accompanies me to many trips in the Presidential Mountains above 4,000' (1,220 m), Acadia National Park and day trips on Mount Monadnock, with temperatures from 85° F (29° C) to -5° F (-21° C). I have prepared approximately 100 plus meals in this kettle. OBSERVATIONS:
In the interest of full disclosure, I do not often cook food inside the Titan Kettle, however the size is ideal for boiling enough water for a 2 serving dehydrated meal, using a 600 ml, 20.3 oz titanium cup to measure the proper amount of water. If I am not cooking a dehydrated meal, the .85 L (28.7 oz) capacity provides enough boiled water to prepare a boil-in-bag packet of rice and a hot beverage. I spice the rice with beef jerky, dried tomatoes bacon bits or bouillon. I almost exclusively boil water for meals. SUMMARY:
I mainly use this pot with the MSR Pocket Rocket and occasionally with Esbit solid fuel and the MSR XKG EX stoves. By placing the kettle a bit off center on the Pocket Rocket stove when boiling water, I can remove the kettle using the handles without hand protection or a pot grabber. Previously owned stainless steel pots of similar capacity required some sort of pot gripper. The lid fits so securely that even when the kettle is filled with water I must hold the handles to remove the lid. CONCLUSION:
The MSR Titan Kettle is light, sturdy easy to clean. The lid does not come off when being packed and liquids pour smoothly. As I mentioned earlier there are not any markings for measurement of liquids. Since dehydrated meals are established backpacking meals and most require about 2 cups for the 2 serving packets. I would suggest stamped marks indicating 0.25, 0.35, 0.5 and 0.6 L (approximately 1, 1 ½, 2 and 2 ½ cups for my fellow US citizens) might be beneficial. Read more reviews of MSR gear Read more gear reviews by Alexander Chard Reviews > Cook and Food Storage Gear > Cook Sets > MSR Titan Kettle > Owner Review by Alexander Chard |